Maya Umemoto Gorman [Instagram, Website]

In a sea of bold colors and dynamic poses, Maya captures the most stunning and visually enchanting portraits. When I first discovered her work, I couldn’t stop thinking “NO ONE poses people the way this girl does.” Using her knowledge of the body as an experienced dancer, she choreographs her models in such beautifully unique ways from backwards crab-walks to a face full of screaming intensity. You will be left in awe of the energy and personality she is able to bring out through her images.

A superb example of her movement forward poses, Maya captured this image while working on a project exploring the relationships between sisters. Shooting in her own living room (can you believe that!) Maya shot this with her Mamiya RZ67. The color choices of the green background contrasts perfectly with the classic styling of the white tanktop and faded jeans. I love the built up energy I can feel in their poses, linked together arm in arm while leaning forward with intention, as if they are a spring loaded with intention about to bounce into a dance move.

Ashlee Tough [Instagram, YouTube]

Come with me and fall down a technicolor rabbit hole in Ashlee Tough’s work. Equal parts madness of the Willy Wonka tunnel scene and the high glamour of Marilyn Monroe, Ashlee’s photos are like none other I’ve seen. Ashlee is a one-two punch, not only photographing but also styling all her own photoshoots. Often collaborating with her friend and makeup artist Amelia Hart on her stylized projects, I can hardly think of a better artistic pairing (Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat anyone?). The delicious excessiveness of her images is often a portrayal of her own self, wearing her personality on her photographic sleeve.

Shockingly electric, the image above had me swooning the minute I laid eyes on it. Ashlee frequently creates projects inspired by specific outfits and this one was no different. Dressed in an art piece of special sentimentality, Ashlee captured her model with her Mamiya RB67 and Kodak Portra 800 film. Hoping to capture a mix of pink marshmallow fairy, 90’s nostalgia, and a sprinkle of kawaii vibes, I just cannot look away from this image. I love the beautifully bold paring of vibrant pink and yellow along with the added textures of the iridescent flourishes with the sequins and rhinestone makeup. Pure perfection from start to finish.

Amanda Breese [Instagram]

Changing it up from the first three portrait photographers on this list, Amanda primarily photographs candid life moments and explorations, self described as a “hodge podge fromage.” And that is what makes her photos so damn impressive. They’re not posed or planned out; they are moments shot on the fly and still composed and framed perfectly. Whether it’s a dog hanging out a window or someone in the middle of grinding down a car part. Shooting primarily on a Hasselblad 500cm, Amanda frequently captures classic, vintage cars that she happens across on her photowalks. Drawn to them as a means of taking a step back in time, it is especially appropriate that she photographs these iconic automobiles on a period accurate camera.

The image above is one of her most stunning images in my humble opinion and I knew immediately upon laying eyes on it that it was the one I needed to feature. Shot with her right hand camera the Hasselblad loaded with Kodak Portra 400, Amanda captured this impromptu photo while out on a grocery run with her partner. Can you imagine! Like, no way could I create such a masterpiece while on a run to get eggs and milk. Making this photo even more meaningful, this photo was from the very first roll she ever developed at home. I’ve done home development before and I never got results like this on the first try. Amanda is one of those rare talents, the types that almost seem born with this innate ability. Looking at this photo, you could tell me it’s a still shot from a dramatic scene in a gangster movie and I would 100% believe you. She has completely nailed the position of the car with the wonderful leading lines of the overpasses and the mysterious headlines and the reflection on the pavement that make you wonder, “where are they going?”

Isabelle Baldwin [Instagram, YouTube]

Based out of Austin, Isabelle documents her journeys throughout the small towns and landscapes in the state of Texas and the greater Southwest area. With wide horizons as far as the eye can see and quaint little forgotten buildings, her love and passion for her area pours out of her images. In stark contrast to the harshly hot climate Texas is known for, Belle’s images are a melting pot of delicate colors and smooth lighting. The soft side of Texas she captures is one that I myself, a true midwestern girl, could really long to visit. I know it’s become ‘de rigueuer’ to hate on the popularity of Kodak Portra 400, but her photos will make you remember why the film stock is so beloved in the first place. She makes the film stock sing in every frame whether she’s shooting a classic Coca Cola sign or a dusty desert view.

Taken at El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas, Isabelle captured this photo while visiting the West Texas art hub in October 2020. During her visit the campground was quiet and peaceful, feeling like they had the whole place to themselves. Waking up to this view every morning, this image is a great reminder for her of this wonderful moment of peace within a year of turmoil and unpredictability. And that is absolutely what stands out for me too when looking at this photo. I love how calm and still it is with the glow of the morning sun shining through the window. A perfect moment in time for us all to enjoy. 

If there’s a female photographer whose work you’d like to share with me and the rest of the readers, please do so in the comments below. We’d love to see and promote.

You can also follow The Film Sorority, a new Instagram account focused on promoting female perspectives in photography, which I’ve co-created with Analog Talk host Chris Bartolucci, and another lovely and talented shooter named Onome.

Follow Casual Photophile on Facebook and Instagram

[Some of the links in this article will direct users to our affiliates at B&H Photo, Amazon, and eBay. By purchasing anything using these links, Casual Photophile may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps Casual Photophile produce the content we produce. Many thanks for your support.]

The post Female Photographers to Follow – August 2021 appeared first on Casual Photophile.

Brandi Fox [Instagram, Website]

If you don’t start following Brandi the minute you look at her photos I may judge you a bit. Okay, I’m kidding. But… not really. The first time I discovered her work it was like one of those record scratch moments where I stopped in my tracks and thought “WHOA, who is this girl?? I need to know her.” Specializing in self portraits on instant film, Brandi’s work has a magical, ethereal glow to it. The unique look that instant film gives makes her appear like a mystical angel in her work. Once you get over how celestial she is, you’ll then be enamored with the locations she picks for her shots. From golden deserts to purple mountains, she captures her portraits in a variety of drool worthy paradises that will leave you with the most intense wanderlust.

Nothing demonstrates her innate ability better than the photo above. Captured in the iconic Joshua Tree, Brandi shot this image with her Polaroid OneStep+ using I-Type film [We reviewed this camera here.]. Often turning to photography and nature to clear her mind and find herself, Brandi was taking in the grandeur and expanse of the world in front of her. I love how her dress appears as if it is radiating light against the mountains in the distance tinted a purplish hue. She had to shoot this scene several times to combat the high winds, an apt example of how things rarely can go our way on the first try. I’m happy she stuck with it, as her determination and vision have completely paid off with this exquisite self portrait.

Victoria Oliver [Instagram, Instagram, Website]

A stunning mixture of landscapes and portraits, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Victoria’s work. From breathtaking vistas to dazzling waterfalls to models prancing through misty woods, Victoria’s work tells the tale of a woman capturing her life of adventure in the great outdoors through her camera lens. Scrolling through her feed I can feel her passion for nature and the world bleeding off my screen. Whether they’re posed on the edge of a mountain or lying in a meadow of wildflowers, Victoria has a way of capturing her models as if they are completely one with the earth. As you gaze into her photos it’s hard not to feel the wonder of the world in all its glory.

She shot the image above with her trusty Canon AE-1 [which we reviewed here] and Kodak Ultramax 400 [also reviewed] in South Cumberland State Park in Tennessee. Aiming to capture a more sensual image, Victoria was doing double duty having the subject model her own handmade jewelry (talk about multi talented!). While sensual, I also adore how pure and natural this image is. From the natural light to the soft curve of the model’s back leading your eye perfectly to the sprig of wildflowers in her back pocket, I love every detail of how Victoria has posed this scene. Even better that it’s shot on Ultramax, proving you don’t need to shoot everything on Portra to get a killer shot.

Renee Romero [Instagram, Website]

When I first discovered Renee’s page I was immediately struck by the tender and intimate moments she captures of her life. Using film from 35mm up to large format, she documents her family life as a mother, daughter, sister, and partner. At first glance it’s immediately clear how much she loves her family and cherishes their moments together. Of all her shots I especially adore the photos she captures of her young daughter, Ariana. Motherhood is one of the most rewarding yet challenging paths women can choose to take in life, and I think Renee absolutely nails the reality of it. From photos of being woken up by an energetic toddler to tender embraces, I can feel the deep love and sacrifice mothers experience radiating through her work.

While serving as an artist in residence at the Stay Home Gallery Renee shot this double exposure Polaroid above of her and her sister. Initially aiming to take separate portraits, this beautiful creation happened purely by accident. While taking the first shot of her and her sister together the self timer button malfunctioned forcing Renee to take a second exposure of herself to get the film to come out. The effect is stunning. I love how it appears as if she and her sister are a part of her soul. Sometimes our best work happens completely unplanned. 

Brittany Gonzales [Instagram]

One plain winter morning I was curating photos for The Film Sorority when I happened across Brittney’s work. It was like getting hit by a bolt of lightning, love at first sight. How had her work been hiding from me for so long? Her photos are just so soft and delicate, with creamy pastels as far as the eye can see. Even her night shots are a gorgeous mix of soft yellows, rosy pinks, and dusty blues. How she does it? I have no freaking idea. Capturing historic homes and scenery throughout Texas, her photos are one long, endless summer filled with lush greenery and delicate blue skies. 

The photo above is the exact photo that hit me like a lightning bolt that one winter morning. I was immediately enchanted by the soft, dusty light and the twinkling star filter, wondering if I was peering into a bar, antique store, or someone’s long forgotten basement. I wasn’t too far off as Brittany captured this image with her beloved Minolta X-700 [our review] on Portra 400 film [and our review of that] while meandering around the lower level of a vintage shop in Braunfels, TX. She was inspired by the chaos of lost treasures piled up on top of each other, and the dark, mysterious lighting. I absolutely love how she’s framed this image with the shimmering light just barely illuminating the portraits on the wall making you wonder if you’ve strayed into the basement of a haunted Victorian house.

Onome Uyovbievbo [Instagram, Website]

I not only have the special fortune to count Onome as a friend and a peer, but also as a partner in crime as they are one of my fellow curators of The Film Sorority. From the moment I first discovered their work I knew I was in the presence of something extra special. Onome’s photos have that extra dash of magic that makes you know they have a truly unique talent. Oftentimes when I’m in a creative rut, all I need to do is scroll through their feed, immerse myself in their work, and I feel ready to get out shooting. A gallery bursting with cinematic shoots, Onome’s work feels nostalgic and dreamy. Shooting often in the bright midday sun, Onome’s photos are just radiant and dazzling. 

Nothing encapsulates their style better than this glorious shot above. Captured on the often overlooked Portra 160 with their Mamiya RB67, this photo looks like it was stolen straight out of a dream. It’s even more impressive when you realize Onome develops and scans all their own work. This image is sheer perfection in my eyes from the pale blue sky to the gleaming highlights to the vibrant color of the car. This makes me want to hop in a plane and go walking around San Francisco snapping shots in the warmth of the California sun. 

If there’s a female photographer whose work you’d like to share with me and the rest of the readers, please do so in the comments below. We’d love to see and promote.

You can also follow The Film Sorority, a new Instagram account focused on promoting female perspectives in photography, which I’ve co-created with Analog Talk host Chris Bartolucci, and another lovely and talented shooter named Onome.

Follow Casual Photophile on Facebook and Instagram

[Some of the links in this article will direct users to our affiliates at B&H Photo, Amazon, and eBay. By purchasing anything using these links, Casual Photophile may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps Casual Photophile produce the content we produce. Many thanks for your support.]

The post Five Female Photographers to Follow – July 2021 appeared first on Casual Photophile.

From gothic self-portraits to snowy city shots, I find each and every one of these artists endlessly inspiring. I could look at their work all day, every day, and never get bored. In fact, I do look at their work every day. I hope you find them as fascinating as I do, and hopefully find some new artists to follow in the process.

Marielle Ponce [Instagram]

Of all the amazing female film shooters I know, I have one of the most special connections with Marielle. With our Instagram usernames so similar, we affectionately call each other “sisters,” and I couldn’t ask for a better film sibling in this community. An absolute sweetheart and a brilliant photographer no less, Marielle is always a pleasure to speak with about photography and life in general. Armed with a plethora of cameras, she captures her life around Toronto through an ever changing sea of film stocks and formats, from 6×6 to 35mm to expired to instant to black-and-white. I absolutely adore her way of capturing the beauty around her and am always excited to see what she’s going to post next. 

One of my most favorites of her is this vibrant beach scene she captured with her Yashica D TLR on Kodak Ektar 100 film. Taken late in the day, just before blue hour, Marielle knew she had to capture these picturesque chairs against the rose colored sky while out on photowalk with friends. A completely candid moment, I can’t think of a more perfectly composed scene. I love the coloring of the chairs with the red odd one out at the end which perfectly blends into the vibrant sunset. To me there is no better example of Marielle’s expert eye for scenery and composition. Please click through and follow her on Instagram.

Kyla Elliott [Instagram]

Kyla specializes in capturing feminine portraiture within the breathtaking sights of a little known place you may have heard of, Sedona, AZ. When I first discovered Kyla’s work, I was instantly enamored with how REAL her photos are. These aren’t super seductive, sexpot women pouting into the camera for the male gaze. These are REAL women, celebrating their femininity and natural beauty in the safe spaces that Kyla creates for them.

Favoring natural elements in her shoots (natural light, landscapes, and light clothing) her portraits almost evoke the feeling of a classical painting, soft and regal at the same time. Gazing into her work, I feel like I’ve been transported to a magical land surrounded by goddesses.

Nothing demonstrates her style better than this glorious capture above. While out on a fun photo adventure with some childhood friends, Kyla shot this scene with Lomo 800 film. Hoping to capture a stoic and almost angelic presence often found in paintings, Kyla purposely posed the two women on each side of the center model as a way of communicating women uplighting and supporting other women. The celestial crown, the golden tones, and the backdrop of smooth, almost baptismal waters give this photo such a stately, heavenly atmosphere. 

Jessica Dunston [Instagram, Website]

Where do I begin with Jessica? If you aren’t familiar with her, I’ll try to sum her up in five simple words: A GOD AMONGST MERE MORTALS. Jess captures stunningly beautiful and fierce portraits, with a special focus on highlighting brown and black beauty. Her use of colors and lighting to capture her subjects in the most divine way possible leaves me in awe. No dull colors here. You’ll be lost in a sea of bold and vibrant colors from emerald greens to bold oranges to shimmering golds, all expertly used to make her models pop and really appear as the royalty they are.

When I first saw this shot of hers, I’m pretty certain I gasped if not screamed. It straight up feels like a painting done by one of the great masters. Photographing the rapper Pat Junior for an upcoming project of his, Jess shot this scene on Portra 400 with her Mamiya RB67. I love every single detail of this portrait, from the halo of light on his face, the hand giving warmth and support on his shoulder, to his gaze to the heavens above. Everything about this is sheer perfection to me, and I don’t think it gets any better than this.

Alyssa – LeicaVirgin [Instagram]

Alyssa is the QUEEN of nailing subdued lighting. In contrast to my shooting style which favors bright sunny midday blue skies, Alyssa captures many of her photos in scenes I tend to be too scared to shoot. An array of blue hour, night time, and dimly lit interiors, she ALWAYS nails the exposure no matter the lighting condition. Having moved to Pittsburgh recently from the midwest Alyssa loves to explore her new city, discovering hidden views, and creative ways to capture Pittsburgh’s unique skyline. Her work constantly inspires me to step out of my comfort zone and to not be scared to shoot in lighting that I’m less familiar with. 

The photo above is one of Alyssa’s personal favorites of all the shots she has captured of the Pittsburgh skyline. Shooting with her Pentax K1000 and classic Kodak Portra 400, she shot this blue hour scene as she was leaving work in her neighborhood of Greenfield. There was only about 20 minutes of daylight left for the day and she wanted to document the first snowfall of the winter. I love how she has composed this scene perfectly lining up the fence in the foreground, the neighborhood houses in the middle, and the sunsetting skyline in the distance. The peaceful, serene atmosphere lends the feeling of a neighborhood falling under the hush and wonder of the year’s first snow.

Ashley Humason [Instagram, Website]

As someone who’s recently been bitten by the self-portrait bug, Ashley’s work is a pillar of what I aspire to. Endlessly creative, her photos are equal parts dreamy, surreal, and supernatural all mixed into one glowing orb of beauty. Time and time again I find myself scrolling through her feed for inspiration, half wondering if these are still shots from some sort of gothic movie. Often evoking deep, visceral feelings her subjects bewitch me with their power. Frequently captured in historic and abandoned places coupled with the beauty of film, her photos feel as if they were taken lifetimes ago, in a different world. 

A beautiful example of her exquisite self portraits, Ashley captured this image of herself with her Mamiya RB67 on Kodak Portra 400. While experimenting with double exposures, she was hoping to capture a portrait of herself that featured the duality of light and shadow. The imagery of the moth and flowers is meant to represent the connection between these two between the two exposures. Having attempted double exposure self portraits myself before, I know how difficult it is to properly line up each exposure, and I have to say Ashley has completely nailed it. I’m in love with the way she has framed herself, almost appearing as if she is embracing her body in multiple different ways.

If there’s a female photographer whose work you’d like to share with me and the rest of the readers, please do so in the comments below. We’d love to see and promote.

You can also follow The Film Sorority, a new Instagram account focused on promoting female perspectives in photography, which I’ve co-created with Analog Talk host Chris Bartolucci, and another lovely and talented shooter named Onome.

Follow Casual Photophile on Facebook and Instagram

[Some of the links in this article will direct users to our affiliates at B&H Photo, Amazon, and eBay. By purchasing anything using these links, Casual Photophile may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps Casual Photophile produce the content we produce. Many thanks for your support.]

The post Five Female Film Photographers to Follow – June 2021 appeared first on Casual Photophile.

Spring is springing and so am I for the five wonderful photographers I have lined up for you all this month. An almost even split between artists I’ve been following for years, and artists I’ve only recently discovered in the last few months, I find all of their work endlessly inspiring.

From photos snapped on Holgas to heavenly portraits to colorful urban landscapes, there’s something we can learn from each of them. Whether it’s how the cost of your gear doesn’t always matter, to how to flip portrait rules upside down, I hope you all find something to take away from each of these talented ladies.

Anna Starr [Instagram]

Looking at Anna’s work, you’ll immediately be taken aback by the stunning images of mountain vistas, picturesque fields of wildflowers, and majestic waterfalls. You’ll even be more impressed when you realize that all of her work is shot with a humble Holga [we reviewed it here].

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Anna captures her life hiking around her nearby national parks and around her city of Seattle. When I first happened upon her work I couldn’t believe my eyes. How could such drool-worthy shots be taken with a mere toy camera (one that is often laughed at by professionals?). But I don’t think she could pick a better tool for her art. The characteristic look of images made with the Holga (vignetting, distortion, and light leaks) is exactly what make Anna’s photos so unique. It’s easy to be fooled and think her photos were taken with a fancy tilt shift lens. Nope! That’s just the beautiful imperfections of the Holga camera playing out perfectly.

A slight departure from her normal dreamy landscapes, Anna captured the photo above of Smith Tower in downtown Seattle in celebration of Holga Week. Successfully capturing her first double exposure, this photo happened merely by accident. After snapping the first shot, she panicked not knowing if she had remembered to take the lens cap off or not (something I think all photographers can identify with). Figuring why not flip the camera upside down just in case she was about to double expose, she ended up with this beautiful scene of two worlds colliding.

Chelsea Ballinger [Instagram, Website]

Chelsea’s portraits always have a dreamy glow about them that pull me in and give me LIFE. I first discovered her work a few months back and I was immediately hypnotized by the halo her subjects seem to have. I don’t know what she does precisely to get this effect, and I don’t want to ask and ruin the magic. Her images are heavenly and I’m here for them every minute of the day.

Often capturing her subjects in tight headshots, Chelsea has the ability to make her models look completely comfortable, as if they’ve been staring into her camera all their life. 

In my opinion, nothing demonstrates her skill better than the portrait above. Captured in a carefree candid moment while out boating with friends last summer, Chelsea shot this image with her beloved Mamiya RZ67 and Portra 400. Framing her good friend Jahi, who works as an assistant principal mentoring young men, she snapped this image, perfectly capturing the warmth of the sun and the exquisite detail of his face. I especially love her choice of focus point, choosing to make his laid back smile the center of the image.

Anastasia Kee [Instagram]

If you’re looking for a blend of dramatic shots and classic western Americana, look no further than Ana. Her photos make me wanna pack up, take a road trip out West, and live life just a little bit slower. From classic images of sandy mountainscapes to antique stores stuck back in time, to shots of the Vegas strip, Ana’s images have everything you need to be transported to a different area of the US. A perfect blend of cinematic and candid, I love the sheer variety in her style. One moment you’re looking at an image that could be a still out of a movie and the next you’re looking at a nostalgic candid snapped in a decades-old vintage store.

A perfect example of the cinematic style so frequently found in her work, Ana captured this photo of the empty viewing deck of the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas. Using the legendary Pentax K1000 and Cinestill 800, Ana was looking to capture the feeling of loneliness with the deck being almost completely void of other visitors due to the pandemic. Often looking to capture  a specific personal emotion or memory, I think she completely nailed this scene. Shooting towards the tail end of golden hour, I love the blue tones flooded throughout the scene, which to me lends even more to the feeling of sadness and solitude. 

Starla Dawn [instagram, Website]

Starla is probably one of the most well-rounded photographers I have discovered. Her feed literally has every style you could imagine, from candid shots to newborn photo shoots to retro models to classic black-and-white portraits and everything in between. Throw anything you want at her and she will knock it out of the park. So often as photographers we can get stuck in the familiar, the same types of shots we like to take over and over again. And that’s okay – there’s nothing wrong with having a niche. But Starla’s fresh feed is a great reminder to venture outside of the box every now and then and try something new.

A perfect blend of her knack for candid photos and classic black-and-white style, Starla shot the image above with her Nikon F100 [we reviewed it here] and a mystery black-and-white film (yet to be released!). Capturing her ex-husband, Starla was aiming to capture the comfort and intimacy that comes from knowing someone for fourteen years. I love how she has framed her subject, centering the hands and making them the focal point of the shot. Portraits so often feature a subject’s beaming face, I adore how she has flipped that idea on its head by leaving the subject’s face completely out of the frame, adding a sense of closeness and distance all in one. 

Tess Remick [Instagram]

Shooting largely urban landscapes, I find Tess’s work highly inspirational as I so often shoot the same genre myself. She has an expert eye for framing, and I always find each of her photos to be perfectly balanced. With a keen sense of color, many of her photos feature dreamy scenes backdropped across pink and purple hued sunsets. Scrolling through her feed you’ll get lost in all the gorgeous rosy, warm tones and you’ll think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah (as the song goes). All this is made even more impressive when you learn she hasn’t even been shooting film for a full year yet. What!?

One of my favorite shots of Tess’, with her brilliant use of color on full display, is this gorgeous image above. Shot with a classic Minolta SRT 201 handed down by her father, Tess captured this moment with everyone’s favorite film, Portra 400. While on a special outing with her father to drop off a piece of artwork he had recently painted, Tess noticed this truck with the beautiful sky in the background and knew she had to photograph it. I love how she has perfectly contrasted the rusted truck against the immaculate sky. Such a creative play of hues, making both the sky and the truck pop even more when paired together.

If there’s a female photographer whose work you’d like to share with me and the rest of the readers, please do so in the comments below. We’d love to see and promote.

You can also follow The Film Sorority, a new Instagram account focused on promoting female perspectives in photography, which I’ve co-created with Analog Talk host Chris Bartolucci, and another lovely and talented shooter named Onome.

Follow Casual Photophile on Facebook and Instagram

[Some of the links in this article will direct users to our affiliates at B&H Photo, Amazon, and eBay. By purchasing anything using these links, Casual Photophile may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps Casual Photophile produce the content we produce. Many thanks for your support.]

The post Five to Follow – April 2021 appeared first on Casual Photophile.

I hope you enjoy our talk, and learn about some new processes which you can try in your own photography.

Thank you for taking the time to chat. Could you start out by telling us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Amy Marie Gladding. I’m based in Suffolk, England and I’m an art and photography teacher and creator. My world is explored through alternative and expired films, Polaroids and traditional camera-less techniques, as well as altering processes such as burying negatives and film soup. Growing up in Suffolk I have always been interested In rural spaces. In more recent years I have become intrigued by the constantly transforming landscape.

And how long have you been shooting film and what got you into film photography?

I learnt film at college when I was 16 (I’m now 34) before digital was really accessible, so my grounding in photography was in analogue techniques. I’ve always worked with photography alongside my arts practice and I am highly experimental and playful in my approach.

As you’ve mentioned there’s a lot of experimentation in your work, which is one of the things that drew me to your photographs. Have you always been experimental with photography or was there something in particular that sparked your interest?

I’m not good at following rules or being precise, and I like taking risks, so my work has always crossed borders and spanned art disciplines. My day job teaching also helps me to experiment; I see the students work so freely and imaginatively and I try to match that excitement in my work.

What was the first experimental process you tried?

I think maybe photo-collage was the first, and it’s still a technique that I love to explore now.

Which alternative process do you love the most and why?

Maybe cyanotypes, as you can explore so much, from plants and flower shadow prints to acetate negatives. I love how beautiful they look once they are toned, too, and recently I have been playing around with ways to paint cyanotype prints with watercolour.

I’ve noticed you make anthotypes which are completely new to me! How does that process work? Are they similar to Cyanotypes?

You make an emulsion by crushing plants, fruits or vegetables, eg. spinach, blueberries or beetroot. I have had great success using spices such as turmeric and paprika, or whole hibiscus flowers. Create a fine pulp with your chosen ingredients, add a little water, and then strain through a muslin or fine sieve. Then paint the natural emulsion directly onto paper or even soak sheets of watercolour paper in the dye. Once dried, place objects on the paper (I like to use dried flowers). Then, much like a cyanotype, you place it under a piece of glass in a safe spot and in direct sunlight. The photosensitive plant matter is bleached away by the sunlight, and therefore your object creates a print by blocking the light.

Wow! That is so cool. Did you discover this yourself or did you learn from someone else?

I found out about the technique from an alternative photography book and then tried out a few different approaches with my students. I’m still learning about the process and different natural emulsions and how to make the images successful.

That segues well into my next question – Have there ever been any experimental or alternative processes that you’ve attempted which didn’t go according to plan?

I am hoping to get salt printing perfected, and I’d love to experiment further with Lith printing.

How has salt printing gone so far?

I’ve had a few successful ones, then some not so strong, but I think it’s down to contamination or old chemicals. I want to keep experimenting with the technique as I love the sepia results!

I’m sure you’ll get it perfected soon! I also really love the crystallized Polaroids you have been posting recently. Would you be able to tell us where the inspiration came from for that and what the process looks like?

I have experimented with growing salt crystals onto prints many times, and this is my third attempt at growing real crystals onto photographs. I bought one of those kids’ science kits to grow three different crystals and used the mixtures to soak prints and Polaroids. I left them for two days and then photographed the results.

They are so sparkly and beautiful in real life, and it really is hard to convey this through an image. It’s much more exciting to study the object. When I’ve exhibited pieces like this before (I’ve put the physical crystallised print on display and at a solo show last summer) I sold two of my salt crystal pieces.

Throughout all your different works I’ve noticed that nature often plays a main role as the subject. What draws you specifically to focusing on nature?

I find [nature] so beautiful and magic. It’s always growing and transforming. I love being surrounded by and immersed in nature. My interest started with plants and flowers and has expanded to include whole landscapes. I have loads of houseplants, love working in the garden and have an allotment now too.

Another thing we’ve talked about before is how you are a mother to a beautiful little girl, and balancing all those different responsibilities in your life. Do you feel like there’s anything specific that you’ve learned from motherhood that has influenced your work?

I think the thing [that motherhood] has taught me is to try to be efficient, multitask and organize my time so that I can still create. In between my job as a secondary school teacher and the bubba, there isn’t much time for myself, but I adapted my practice to fit in. It is getting a bit easier now she is older, but I had about a year of doing VERY little creatively when I first had my daughter. I think you have to try not to put yourself under pressure and remember that you will find your way again. It is such a transformation of the self, becoming a mother, that you return to your work as a different human and the work will be changed also.

That’s really beautiful. As you’ve mentioned, you’re an art teacher during the day. Are there any other art forms that you’re particularly passionate about outside of the photography world?

Oh I love ALLLLLLL art forms. I’m completely obsessed with creativity! I love my job for so many reasons and I learn so much from the way the students work. I teach ages 10-18, so I see a broad spectrum of styles, approaches and skill levels. I am very interested in painting, collage, drawing and printmaking. However I seek out and am inspired by fashion, textiles, ceramics, 3D design, illustration, architecture – just about anything can inspire or provoke ideas for my own practice.

In terms of photography, what’s on the horizon for you? Are there any new alternative processes that you’re hoping to jump into?

I would love to try making more anthotypes and chlorophyll prints, too. I’ve got a few new painted cyanotype prints to share and I’ve buried a load of negatives in the garden to scan once they have been partially destroyed. Lots more experimental Polaroid stuff and more large format too.

Those all sound so cool. I especially can’t wait to see how the buried negatives turn out. Before I let you go, is there anything else you’d like to share with us today?

Just that you can see more of my work on my website and prints of my work are available to buy. Thank you so much for supporting and sharing my creative endeavours. Big love, Amy.

More from Amy here – Instagram and Website

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Her videos look as though they could be produced by a professional film company, and they always leave me itching to pick up my camera and get out there shooting myself. Even on my most unmotivated days, all I simply have to do is queue up a Jess Hobbs video and my creative juices start flowing. Our chat was such a treat, and I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I’m so especially excited for today’s interview, so thank you for taking the time to chat. Could you start out by telling us a little bit about yourself?

Thanks for having me, Danielle! My name is Jess Hobbs, and I’m a film photographer based out of the Montreal, Quebec region. I’ve been shooting film since I was a kid, but I only really started taking it “seriously” in 2014/2015, when I bought my beloved Mamiya RB67. I like to photograph a wide variety of subjects, but my favourite place to shoot is in the woods on the family farm.

That leads well into my next question! What got you into film photography and what inspired you to buy that Mamiya RB67?

My parents gave me a little Vivitar point-and-shoot for my 9th birthday, and I carried that thing with me everywhere! I was the annoying kid always trying to catch people while eating or something, just so they would have funny faces!

In university, I took a few photography classes that focused on darkroom techniques, and I fell in love with being able to print my own negatives. The only thing was that when I finished my degree, the digital craze was kicking into high gear, and film shops and labs in my small town were closing up left and right. So, I did like a lot of others did, and I bought a digital SLR – a Pentax K20. It was a good enough camera, but I didn’t connect with it the way I did with film, so I actually stopped photographing for a while.

It was when I moved to Montreal in 2013 that I discovered there was still a vibrant film community, and that gave me the kick in the butt to buy some new cameras. I was always stealing my fiance’s Olympus OM-1 or Canon AE-1, so I decided it was time to buy my own camera, which is how I ended up buying the RB67. I was reading Ansel Adams’ The Camera at the time, and he was talking about how 6×7 was the perfect format. After doing a bit of research, I decided that the RB67 was for me, and we have been inseparable ever since!

Oh I love that! I really should read some of Ansel’s stuff. I associate him so much with large format, I’ve never really thought of him shooting 120. So at what point in your film journey did you decide to start your YouTube channel and why?

Ansel actually shot on a Hasselblad sometimes, and he had a pretty decent camera collection! I mostly associate him with 8×10 as well, but it’s fun to know that he enjoyed other formats too! 

I started my channel in 2018 (funnily enough on April Fool’s Day!) so at that point I had been shooting film again for a few years. [Editor’s note – Casual Photophile was opened on April Fool’s Day 2014! I guess we all have to be a little foolish to be shooting film these days, eh Jess?] Jody (my fiancé) had started his channel about his adventures in farming the year before, and I was in a few of the videos, and watching his process made me want to start my own channel.

The interaction he was getting from his audience made me realize that there was a bigger community out there, and I wanted to be a part of it. I had finished a year-long project photographing festivals in Montreal, so I had spent a year surrounded by happy people in a perpetual state of celebration, and all of a sudden I felt a little bereft, a little like I had lost my community. So when Kodak re-released P3200, I took a chance, and threw myself out there.

One of the things I’m always blown away by is the high production quality of your videos. It’s obvious that you put a lot of time and hard work into producing each one. Could you walk us through your typical process of creating one of your videos?

Most of my videos are heavily storyline based, whether it’s about a camera, a film stock, or even something happening in my life. When I was a kid, I used to sit beside my mom while she was weeding in our garden and make up stories, so my fascination with storytelling started young!

I’ll use my “The End of Alpha” video as an example, probably the most conceptual video I’ve done so far (but not the last!). That one was a few months in the making. I knew I wanted to film a video about Ferrania’s P30, but the story really only came to me when they announced they were releasing it as a finalized stock, no longer in their trial phase. I still had a roll of the Alpha release, so I thought it would be a nice ode to the film, and a way of ushering in the new era for me. It’s no secret that Jody is my videographer (there’s no way I could film myself!), which is great because then I always have a sounding board for my ideas.

For at least a month before we started filming we kept going back and forth on where to film, when to film, what kind of weather we were looking for, etc. We had ideas of what we wanted the video to say, and we were just waiting for the right time to happen. Once we were out there filming, the rest was relatively straightforward, making sure we got the b-roll we wanted, the right angles, and of course, good photos. Most of my videos are shot in one day, so then we go back in and spend a few days developing the film, editing, and making sure we’re happy with the results. The funny thing with that particular video was that I had lost my voice from a cold that week, so I had to record voice-overs later when it came back, but the overall effect ended up being exactly what I wanted.

Sometimes I’m lucky and the stories end up coming to me, like in my last two videos from my Fall 2020 series. I had been trying to figure out how to end that series, the end of fall was coming up and winter was quickly on it’s way. We had wanted to film one morning, but the night before we saw that the temperature was going to be -20°C (-4°F), so we decided to sleep in and go out in the afternoon after it had warmed up instead.

Unfortunately I ended up missing a beautiful hoar frost, and got out too late. I was super bummed out, but decided to film anyway since I wasn’t sure if I’d get another chance before winter. I’m glad I went, I still got some photos that I’m really happy with, but that feeling in the pit of my stomach just wouldn’t go away. Before going to bed that night, I saw the weather report, and they were calling for the exact same conditions the next morning, which hadn’t been on the radar earlier in the day. So, at 6 am in -20°C, we were out there filming, and I got the frost shots I wanted just in the nick of time! Videos like that are easier to film, the story is right there in front of me, but the conceptual ones are really rewarding when everything falls into place.

You’ve also somewhat answered my next question once again! You mentioned your recent Fall series, which I think is one of my favorites of yours (though it’s so hard to pick). How did the idea for that series come about?

There’s actually two parts to that answer. The first part: it’s been an idea I’ve mulled over for the last few years, and I just hadn’t had the time to execute. For those of you who have no idea who I am, I also work on Jody’s family farm over the growing seasons, and so fall is always a hectic time for us. Peak colors always happen during one of our main harvest times, so I’m usually watching the season change from the fields. I love being in the woods in the fall, but I also have to time my visits in between deer hunting season (in one of my videos, shots were fired not too far from me… not close enough to hurt me in any way, but enough to scare the crap out of me!). So finding time between all of that is challenging, and in past years I’ve just let the idea go.

The second part: I’m a huge fan of Ben Horne’s channel, especially when he takes his trips to Zion. I love the idea of travel/photography diaries, and his are a big source of inspiration for me. Of course, over the past year, travelling has been limited and not recommended, but I am lucky enough to have 200 acres at my disposal.

I liked the idea of combining the inspiration I had from Ben’s videos with the woods that I call home, and giving people a real idea of what fall in Canada looks like throughout the entire season. It’s funny, because originally it was only going to be three episodes, but over time, Jody and I realized we could make it into a mini-series. We also thought it would be neat to add in bits of history about the area too, and part of me was really hoping to pass on some of the inspiration I had gathered, kind of like a pay-it-forward. The biggest hope I have with my channel is that it helps to inspire people to just grab their cameras, go outside, and shoot away.

Well you always inspire me to get outside and shoot, anyway. One of the things I’m very envious about is the Polaroid back you have on your Mamiya RB67. What is your favorite photo you’ve made with this setup, and why is it your favorite?

I would love to get all philosophical here and say something like “my favourite photo is the one I haven’t taken yet,” or something silly like that, but the truth is, it’s the shot of the star trails over our garage.

Being able to shoot star trails on Polaroids is such a coup for me, it’s probably one of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken. That one took some trial and error too, and it almost didn’t make it into my Fall Polaroid Week video because I screwed up the exposure twice, and I wasn’t supposed to get a third chance before the video came out.

On the first night, I set up my shot, and I honestly wasn’t expecting much. I had some experience shooting star trails on film back when I was still a student, but I hadn’t done it in ten-ish years, so I was kind of re-learning how to do them. I chose the wrong aperture, and the exposure time wasn’t long enough, but I knew I had another chance the next night. The test was successful, but not a good enough image, so I set up again, and adjusted my settings. The problem is that I got nervous and second-guessed myself and my settings, so as I was double-checking everything, I accidentally shone my flashlight directly into the back, and ended up causing a light leak on what would have been a perfect shot. On top of it, the weather reports were calling for cloud cover every night until after the video came out, so I thought I had really bungled up my chances.

But, luck was on my side, and the skies cleared that night! So I ran outside, set up my camera, knew exactly what to do, and I got the shot I wanted! It’s funny, when I think about it now, I realize that 2020 was kind of like my “second chances year”… I managed to get redemption a few times that I thought I had really messed up. Maybe I have a photographic guardian angel somewhere!

What a cool story and great way to think of 2020! It was such a rough year for so many people, I love trying to find the good in it. As you’ve mentioned a large part of your life is living and working on a farm with your partner. Do you feel there’s anything you’ve learned from these experiences that has translated into your photography?

Good question. I think the biggest thing that working and living on a farm has taught me is the notion of “playing through the pain.” At times we are so busy, literally rushing through the daylight to get the job done before it is too dark to see, that we can’t stop no matter what. If we’re tired, hungry, or even hurt, we have no choice but to keep going, otherwise it could mean that our crops will die and we’ll lose our income. Sometimes, when we think we are at our breaking point, that we couldn’t possibly put our bodies through any more, we still find ourselves able to summon up the strength and keep going until we have done the job.

In my photography experiences, this idea has helped me a lot. A few years ago, I did a year-long project photographing as many festivals as I could in the city of Montreal (I ended up attending 225 total). The summer months were the most brutal, not only was it a very hot summer, but some days I could have as many as five festivals to attend, or seven in a weekend, or even ten in a week. I had color-coded calendars to keep myself to a schedule, and I even had to miss out on a few because I either found out about them too late, or I just couldn’t make them fit in with the others. I was exhausted, my feet were killing me, and I had even gotten yelled at for taking someone’s picture, but I couldn’t stop. I had actually started blogging about my experiences, and I had been invited onto two local news channels, so I felt like I had to keep going, not just for myself, but for anyone who might be following along. (I even got “recognized” at another festival after being on the news, which was really fun for me!) I know it could easily be dismissed as “just a photo project”, and I was making up the rules anyways, but I didn’t want to stop either. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something like this.

And honestly, for the most part it really wasn’t that difficult. It was a fun project to do. I met a lot of really nice people and had some experiences that I will never forget. But the highs were high and the lows were low. During the low moments, I almost gave up. I started to get scared, I started listening to the voices in my head telling me that I couldn’t do it, and I almost quit. But I didn’t quit. I found the strength to keep going, to keep getting out there, and I finished the project, and it was honestly one of my proudest moments. Sorry, that was a really long answer and probably not what people were expecting, but it’s the truth!

For me, working on the farm has made me realize that I can push myself so much harder than I ever thought possible. Every time I do a difficult job, I think that’s the most I could ever do, and then I somehow surpass it the next job. That’s not to say that I don’t have low moments, times when Imposter Syndrome sets in and I doubt everything, but farming has taught me that the strength is in there somewhere, I just need to find it.

I absolutely love that story! I’ve heard you talk about your Festival project before and I never realized what a huge undertaking that must have been. Milwaukee is also known for being a big festival city and I’m exhausted after going to just one. I can’t imagine fitting five into one day! I’ve also noticed you tend to shoot a lot of medium format in your videos. Overall would you say you prefer 120 film over 35mm?

I once heard that Montreal had also been dubbed “Festival City,” so I thought it would be fun to see just how true that was. It was a lot of fun, and luckily there were also a lot of comedy and film fests, so every now and then I got to sit and relax a bit! But I don’t think I could do it again with the same kind of energy now!

I do prefer shooting 120. I just love the larger negative size, and the cameras are a lot of fun to shoot with, too. I do enjoy shooting with my 35mm SLRs as well, and so far this year I’ve been shooting a lot more 35mm. Some films are only produced in 35mm, like the Kodak consumer-grade color films or Agfa Vista (I still have 19 rolls stashed away – that was hands-down my favorite color film!), so I have no choice when it comes to those. When it comes to black-and-white though, I prefer shooting in 120. Those negatives are such a joy to print from! At the end of the day, I’ll shoot with anything I have on hand though. I can’t seem to stop myself from buying cameras!

Soon you’ll be the CanadianGirlWithTooManyCameras! Since you mentioned that Agfa Vista you have stored away, what would you say is your most favorite film stock?

I blame the Classic Camera Revival podcast guys for enabling me! So many times while I’m listening to an episode, I’m also frantically searching for the cameras they’re talking about! My collection has definitely grown since I’ve discovered them!

If I had to pick just one film, it would have to be Ilford HP5. That film is so versatile, comes in multiple formats, and I prefer working in B&W over color. That said, I am still mourning the demise of Agfa Vista. That film was just amazing. It shot well at box speed, and it handled being pushed to ISO 1600 like a dream – it was the best color film. Kodak Ultramax is a close second for me, and I have also recently fallen in love with Ektar. Oh, and Lomochrome Purple.., and Lomo 800. Hmmm, as it turns out, I think I like collecting film as much as I do cameras!

I’m a Kodak girl myself so I especially love Ultramax and the Lomo color negative stocks too. As we’re wrapping up, are there any areas of photography that you haven’t yet been able to explore but would love to if given the chance?

Large format for sure, cyanotypes, wet plate collodion. I’m definitely hoping to buy an Intrepid this spring, and then I’d love to do cyanotyped contact prints. Wet plate collodion fascinates me, I love watching Borut Peterlin’s channel, but it also scares the crap out of me, so that’s a longer term goal for now. Oh, and I’ve always thought it would be neat to learn how to platinum/palladium print too!

You would nail all of those! Jess, thank you so much for taking the time to talk. It’s honestly been so much fun getting to know more about your photographic history. Before I let you go, is there anything else you would like to share?

First off, thank YOU for inviting me to chat, Danielle, and for all of the hard work you put into the community, especially in highlighting the work of fellow female film photographers.

I’ve talked quite a bit about my YouTube channel, and my hopes that it will inspire people, and I just wanted to mention that I myself draw a lot of my inspiration from the wonderful community around me. On YouTube, some of my favorites (other than the ones previously mentioned) are Aly’s Vintage Camera Alley, Mat Marrash, Karin Majoka, and IslandxFilm. Northern Film Collective (@northernfilmcollective) have an amazing curated Instagram page featuring Canadian film photographers, and Roxanna Angles (@roxannalog) inspires me constantly with her beautiful work. And of course, I love listening to podcasts… all joking aside, Classic Camera Revival is a great one, and I also enjoy Negative Positives, Analog Talk, Embrace the Grain, and Sunny 16.

There is so much inspiration to be found out in the world, and it never ceases to amaze me how wonderfully creative people can be, and I’m really glad to be a part of the film community.

I completely agree! Nothing is more inspiring than our fellow, talented creators. Thank you so much for sharing so many wonderful artists!

More from Jess here – Instagram and YouTube

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[Some of the links in this article will direct users to our affiliates at B&H Photo, Amazon, and eBay. By purchasing anything using these links, Casual Photophile may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps Casual Photophile produce the content we produce. Many thanks for your support.]

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